Improvement in combination shell-fuses



E. RUBIN,& 'A. P. STADL-ER.

v Combination 511611 1 11 9. 2

Patented Feb. 12, 1878.

' ATTORNEYS.

NITEI) PATENT LAND.

IMPROVEMENT lN COMBINATION SHELL-FUSES.

- Specification forming part. of Letters Patent No. 200,223, dated February 12,1818 application filed January 3, 1878.

" Be it known that we, EnUAnn RUBIN and Amensr FORNEROD-STADLER, ofThun, Switzerland, have invented a new and Improved Combination-Fuse for Projectiles, of whichthe following is a specification:

"' This invention has reference to that class of fuses for projectiles in which atime and percussion fuse are'combined, so as-to secure the positive and reliable. explosion of the shell, either within a certain interval of time or at the moment when it strikes the ground.

This combination or double-acting fuse is specially adapted for time-shells of large size that are so arranged that the time-fuse begins to burn the moment the shell is fired. from the gun, without necessitating any tool or instru-- ment for adjusting it, the adjustment being .si1np1y made by means of graduetedrings, in similar manner as in combination-locks.

The invention consists, essentially, of the combination of a percussion-hiss that is ignited by the sudden force imparted to the shell infiring with a doublegraduated ring -fuse and apowder-chamber, and with a percussion-fuse that is thrown into action when the shell strikes an object.

The double ring-fuse is secured by a tightening-screm'that carries at its point or top; end the sliding and spring-acted .pin,.with

screw-cap removed; Fig.3, a top view of the shell-screw with the fuse-rings removed.

" Figs. 1, 5, and 6 are, respectively, a top View,

a central section, and a )ottom view of the,

npper-fuse-ring. Figs. 7 and 8 are top and bottom views of the lower fii'se-ring, and Figs.

Jand 10, top and bottomvie'ws of the fuseplate' and powder'chamber.

Similar letters of reference indlcate corresponding parts. I

In the drawing. A represents a projectile of large sine, wliiclris'provmeu WlLll a co'mbinav tion-fuse consisting ot'a timefuse and a percussionfuse. The latter is arranged in a bolt.-

case at the inner point of the shell, while the former'is attached to the same by a central screw-bolt,B,that forn1s,-with the rings of the time-fuse, the tapering points otfjthe' shell.

The time-fuse consists of an upper iiise-ring, C, and of a lower fuse-ring, I), which are seated on the ring-shaped fuseplate E, thatis' screwed by an exterior thread into theshell, while an interior thread serves forthescrewing in of the fastening screw-bolt B. A washer,

a, is placed between the head of the screwbolt 13 and the npper'fiise-ring C. p The tightening screw-bolt B is made of brass, with a hexagonal shoulder, b, for taking hold of' the bolt with a wrench and screwing it into the fuse-plate E,and with the same into the shell.

,Abotje the hexagonal shoulder 32 the head is made conical. ,The ups-en portion of the shank of the'screw-bolt is made smooth, the lower portion threaded. The smooth portion has an annular groove or channel, 11, that communicates, by four radial holes or passages, 01, with acentral cavityge, turned out at the interior of the bolt-head. The lower Wider part of the cavity c is provided with a fixed central steel point, a, while the upper part of a the cavity is contracted. and made flaring andthreadedv at the uppermost portion, in order to allow the insertion of a spring-supported firing-pin, f, and of a retaining screw-capJ The firing-pin f has a central bottom hole filled with suitable priming, and is supported on a steel spring, f,-with radial and bent-up arms, stamped out and tempered, s9 as to carry the firing-pin, the .outwardly-bent ends of the spring-arms resting on the fiaring'portion of the cayity e, as shown iii-Fig. 2, and supporting thereby the pin in such a manner that the same remains rigidly in position, rcgardless of handling or shaking, when moved from place to place.

The tension of the spring f? resists the usual shocks to which the shell is exposed in perfectly reliable manner, and forms arch-able safegnard against any premature ignition of the priming by contact with the steel-points e. The upper fuse-ring O is made of an alloy changes of tempcratiu'e.

e scenes clearl .in'Fi sJJB and G. v A hole 2 is bored y a a sidewise into the upper ring C, and filled withpowder, that serves to light the mass pressed into the groove of the ring, and, when the latter is lighted, to draw oh the gases ofv com bustion. This hole is called the igniting- ,hole, and the powder the igniting powder. The graduation on-the outside of the ring is arranged for a burning time of ten seconds,

and the outer part, at a point correspond ng to the bridge, marked with the date'of manufacture, nun1ber, &c. I The lower fuse-ring D is made in similar manner as the upper ring, but provided at the upper side with a cloth ring, h, for the urpose of holding and tightening the upper ing,

For carryingthe lire from the upper'to the lower ring, and extending thereby the time of burning, a hole is arranged in the ring 7:, and .a wedgeshaped piece of powder inserted therein to connect with the niass'in the groove of the lower fusering. The connectingpiece is covered with parchment paper and tinfoil, so as to protect-it against moisture and A small quantity of paraffine closes the exit-hole of the lower ring and melts when the fire burns down to the lower ring, so as to facilitate the burning of the fuse and the free escape of the gases of combustion.

The fuse-plate Eis composed of an alloy of 9614 grams of zinc, 5.60 grams of copper, and 17.47- grams of tin. It has an outer shoulder, up to which it is screwed'into the shell,- the latter being recessed correspondingly. The flat-top surface of the fuse-plate E is covered by cloth ring, it, attached by shellac, which ring forms the seat for the lower fuse-ring, The outer surface is graduated, like the upper ring, in fifths of seconds, and numbered from 50 to 100, so as to represent an other ten seconds of time. These divisions refer to the lower fuse-ring.

In the-upper surface of the fuseplatc E is a small powder chamber or duct, 1', by which the fire is conducted from the lower tusering to a ring-shaped powder-chamber, E5, closed .at the top and covered with top and bottom gauze coverings and by a perforated bottom brass ring.

The powderehamber of the fuseplate E is connected, by three or more longitudinal holes bored through the head of the shell, with. the interior powder-chamber of the same.

The percussion-fuse is set centrally into the head of the shell, and made of a'bolt-casing, F, and an interior bolt-pin, I The bolt-easiuse-plate and shell.

ing F is supported by an outer shoulder, 12:, on anannnlar seat of theshelh'and firmly retained in position by the fuse-plate E and screw-bolt B, a rubber packing-ring being interposed. between the top of the "bolt-easing and bottom of fuse-plate and center-bolt. The lower end of the screw-bolt is extended, by a small bored out and primed projection, n, into the'boltcasing, so as to be acted upon by the sliding bolt-pinch" when the shell strikes an object. The" bolt-pin E is guided in an upper guide-sleeve, 0, and cushioned at the top by a spring] 0 that is made exactly likethe cushioninglspring of the slide-pin of the time-fuse. p

The bolt-pin F carries a steel point, and

is bored out centrally through its entire length,

so as to furnish acentral firing-channel. that ,is closed at the lowerend by a piece of gauzecloth, so as to prevent the powder-charge, of the shell from getting into the interior of the casing-and bolt-pin.

The bolt-pin is of brass and of cylindrical.

shape, and prevented by the cushionin g guardspring from striking the priming at the lower end of the center-bolt until, by the strikingot the shell, suiiicientforoe is imparted to the boltpin to overcome the resistance of the spring and1 strike the priming, explodingthereby the she I. v a

For the fuse-ring and priming any suitable approved mixture of ingredients may be used, a mass composed of five parts of chlorate of potash, fo'urparts of sulphuret'of antimony, and one part of glass-powder, united'by a solution of gum-arable, being well adapted for this purpose.

By setting the upper ring to the index-point of the lower fuse-ring, and then both to the desired number of seconds on the fuse-plate, the time-fuse may be adjusted to any length of time up to twenty seconds. The shell is then placed in the'gun without requiring any other preparation, and the time-fuse lighted by the shock imparted to the shell by the firing of the gun, as thereby the pin in the head or" the center-screw is thrown on the steel point of the same, so as to explode the priming'and communicate the fire to the upper fuse-ring,

then to the lower fuse-ring, and finally to the The shell can thus be set to explode at short as well as at long'distances, as the time-fuse may be made to biirn a shorter or longer time. Though the sudden motion imparted by the shell in firing ignites the priming of the time-fuse, it prevents at the same time the backward motion of the boltpin and sleeve of the percussion-ruse and the tiring of the lower priming of the center-bolt until, by the striking of an object during its course, or at the end of its flight, it will throw 1 the bolt-pin forward by the concussion, and explode the shell thereby.- If the time-fuse .is

not desired at all, the bridge of the top ring is placed over the i-gnitu' g point of the lower ring, which is indicated by an arrow, orother mark on the outside of the shell, by which the .circnletion of the lite is cot ofl endplfevented filfe the J some" at the moinent of firing the from'pessingto the lower ring.- i substantialiy as set forth.

. The .comgect' constructiouof the combine? 3.1a a' combinationfuse, time-fuse rings 1 tion-fuse and therelialble action 'of' either the having bottom grooves filled with fuse-compo time-fuse or the percussion-fuse at theproper "sition said grooves separated by a solid bridge time, so as to warrant the explosion of the and provided with an exit-hole for the escape shell either (luring its'cogrse onat the point of ,the gases; substantially as specified.

of destination, fornia superior fuse foniarge: 4. In .a time-fuse, the combination of the fend expensive kinds of hells, and'preclu slidingfiring-pin f, having supporting-springs any possibility of their being not exploded, f,withthe bolt B,ha,ving cavity e, screw-cap and thereby wasted." f, endpoints c, and openings (1 communicat- Having thus described ouninvehtioni what ing with fuse-rhigs, as and forthe purp'ose set we claim es new, e;nd desire to secure byL'etforth. i I ters.-".E'etent, i s.-- 5. In a percussion-fuse, the combination of 1. 'A combmation'tinie and percussion fuse the sliding bolt F, having central firing-chenfo1 projectiles, consisting of upper and lower nel point 0 and springs o, and the guidegraduated and adjustable fuse-rings, a eonsleeve 0 with the bolt-casing-F and screw-bolt nect'uig-fuse' baseplate with interior pow- B, having aprimed bottoinchainber, as and derchamb'er, and of a retaining center screwfor the purpose set forth.

bolt arrahged with devices to ignite the'time- In testimony thatwe claim the foregoing we fuse at the moment of firing the gun, and a have hereunto set our hands this 211 day of percussion-fuse at the moment of striking an OetoberiIST 7 object, substantially as and for the purpose ED RUBIN. set forthq 1 Y AG. FORNEROD-STADLER. 2. -In a combinationrfuse, the combination of .Witnesses:

the'cente screw-bolt -B, having central cavity J on JACOB SOHKFER, v with radial exit-holes,a fixedfiring-point, and Lieutenant Colonel.

' with the upper fuse-ring a sliding and spring'wushionedpriming-pm ALBERT PAGAN,

' C, to communicate Capitaine da'rtillcresj 

